Saluting our veterans with special events

November 10th, 2016

By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer
Veterans Day has been observed in the United States for almost a century.
It was first established to mark the end of World War I, which ended on Nov. 11, 1918. At first, the legal holiday was called Armistice Day. That was put into place by a federal act, which was approved May 13, 1938.
Eventually, the holiday became known as Veterans Day. The switchover in the holiday’s name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day happened in 1954.
“The holiday was changed to Veterans Day in order to account for all veterans in all wars,” according to the website military.com
It is easy to remember the time that observances take place because it is the same number as the month and the day: 11.
At 11 a.m. on Friday, the Veterans Day observances occur at the Naples Village Green. The ceremony includes a speaker and music by the Lake Region High School Band.
People are invited to the American Legion Post 155 after the observance in Naples. The Legion will be open to the public, and coffee and donuts will be served.
“Today, we take the charge of Veterans Day to heart and mark the day with celebration, honoring America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good,” according to military.com
The annual Veterans Day Breakfast will be held on Friday this year. The breakfast will be served Friday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Casco Community Center. The breakfast is free for veterans and their family members.
Today, Thursday, Nov. 10, Lake Region High School will welcome veterans with a special luncheon and ceremony. Veterans can enjoy lunch in the Lake Region Vocational Center Great Room from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. Then, there will be a school-wide assembly in the gym, starting at 12:50 p.m. The program includes selections performed by the LRHS Band, address by keynote speaker Jeremy Wentworth, 1SG (ret.) United States Army, Summit Project presentation, dance number by senior Hannah Ranco and “Taps” played by senior Tyler Avery and sophomore Matt Mayo.